Sean Parker announced today the establishment of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, of which MSK is a founding member. Photo Credit: Getty Images.
Serial tech entrepreneur Sean Parker first made a name for himself in the early 2000s as the brains behind Napster and Facebook. In recent years, Mr. Parker has turned his entrepreneurial zeal — and the considerable wealth he has accumulated as a result — to addressing pressing matters of public health.
Today, the Parker Foundation, of which Mr. Parker is the founder and president, announced the creation of a new venture — the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI), a network of scientists and research centers geared toward unlocking the power of the immune system to fight cancer. The new institute is enabled by a $250 million grant from the Parker Foundation.
Memorial Sloan Kettering joins with five other leading players in the cancer immunotherapy field as part of PICI — University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Penn Medicine; Stanford Medicine; University of California, Los Angeles; and University of California, San Francisco.
The Parker Institute at MSK will be directed by Jedd Wolchok, an expert on melanoma and the immunotherapy approach known as checkpoint blockade, and co-directed by Marcel van den Brink, a specialist in blood cancer and bone marrow transplantation.
Immunotherapy represents a fundamentally different way of treating cancer than standard approaches such as chemotherapy and radiation. Rather than targeting the tumor, it instead targets a patient’s immune system, empowering it to seek out and destroy cancer. The result is a more dynamic and potentially more lasting response that is leading to cures in some cases.
“Cancer immunotherapy is the disruptive technology of cancer medicine,” Dr. Wolchok said. “It disrupts the entire paradigm that we’ve used for the last five decades.”
MSK: Where Immunotherapy Began
The choice of Memorial Sloan Kettering as a founding member of the Parker Institute reflects MSK’s rich legacy of leadership in the field. Immunotherapy was born at MSK, more than a century ago, and since that time MSK scientists have led the effort to develop immune-based treatments for cancer. (See timeline of progress.)
MSK investigators have also been at the epicenter of recent work in the field that has led to dramatic breakthroughs and catalyzed renewed interest in immunotherapy.
Dr. Wolchok has played a central role in the clinical development of immune checkpoint inhibitors — drugs that “release the brakes” on the immune system, allowing it to mount a stronger attack against cancer. Clinical trials that he spearheaded led to the FDA approval of the first checkpoint inhibitor drug, ipilimumab, for advanced melanoma in 2011.
Dr. van den Brink has pioneered new techniques for immune reconstitution following stem cell transplants, including manipulating the microbiota — the colony of microbes that live in our gut.
The team of Michel Sadelain, Renier Brentjens, and Isabelle Rivière has pioneered chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, an approach that is leading to dramatic cures in some patients with leukemia.
And MSK immunologist Alexander (Sasha) Rudensky has deepened our understanding of how the immune system is kept in check by regulatory T cells, opening up promising new targets for cancer immunotherapies.
Back to topNew Trial Launched
The support offered through the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy will allow MSK researchers to build on their leadership as they search for new ways to extend the benefits of immunotherapy to even more patients.
The first clinical trial funded by this initiative has opened and will be led by MSK researchers. It will answer the crucial question of whether melanoma patients whose cancer has not responded to a PD-1 immunotherapy (or has worsened while on this treatment) can respond to ipilimumab or the combination of ipilimumab plus nivolumab.
Dr. van den Brink thinks MSK’s participation in PICI will be a boon to both MSK and the field as a whole. “What I personally hope is that with PICI we can mobilize the various efforts that have been going on at a smaller scale at MSK,” he said. “There are so many things that we’re doing that will now get the attention and funding to help them develop into viable therapies.”
He added: “I think what we’re going to see in five years is that immunotherapy is going to be used for many more cancers. And the Parker Institute is poised to lead that important effort.”
Back to topComments
Patrick McCarthy
Apr 13, 2016 • 2:23 PM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Apr 14, 2016 • 6:06 PM
In reply to Seems like the only cancers… by Patrick McCarthy
Patrick, MSK is exploring immunotherapy for a variety of cancers, including solid tumors such as breast, lung, and kidney cancers. To learn more about our efforts in this area, you can go to: https://www.mskcc.org/immunotherapy-msk. Thank you for your comment.
Anonymous
Apr 13, 2016 • 3:26 PM
RosaAnna
Apr 15, 2016 • 1:01 PM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Apr 18, 2016 • 10:36 AM
In reply to My mom just became a patient… by RosaAnna
Dear RosaAnna, we are sorry to hear about your mother’s diagnosis. Glioblastoma is an aggressive type of brain cancer that can spread through brain tissue and can be difficult to remove with surgery. In recent years, doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering and elsewhere have begun to recognize distinct molecular subtypes of glioblastomas, which may in turn enable us to find new and targeted treatment approaches. We are investigating a number of new treatments, including immunotherapy, for people with this type of cancer. To learn more about our approach to treating people with glioblastoma, please visit https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/brain-tumors-primary/treatment. We wish your mother well with her treatment at MSK.
Bill Creighton
Apr 15, 2016 • 9:01 PM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Apr 18, 2016 • 10:23 AM
In reply to What experience do you have… by Bill Creighton
Dear Bill, appendix cancer is typically treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation. Learn more about treatment for people with appendix cancer at https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/appendiceal/treatment.
We have a number of clinical trials investigating immunotherapy for people various types of solid tumors. You may browse through them here: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/clinical-trials/search?keys=immune+th…
If you have any questions about your eligibility for any of these trials or would like to make an appointment, please call our Physician Referral Service at 800-525-2225. Thank you for reaching out to us.
Mohan Karkada
Apr 17, 2016 • 9:15 PM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Apr 18, 2016 • 10:01 AM
In reply to It is a wonderful to know… by Mohan Karkada
Phyllis Stewart
Apr 18, 2016 • 12:42 PM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Apr 19, 2016 • 12:02 PM
In reply to When I look around Ovarian… by Phyllis Stewart
Phyllis, MSK does currently have a trial looking at T cell therapy for ovarian cancer. We have a number of additional trials as well, including others that are evaluating immunotherapy. If you’d like to see a complete list of our trials for ovarian cancer, you can go to https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/ovarian/clinical-trials. If you’re interested in making an appointment for a consultation, you can call 800-525-2225 or go to https://www.mskcc.org/experience/become-patient/appointment for more information. Thank you for your comment.
Zorel Zisman
Apr 28, 2016 • 9:29 AM
In june 2008 I passed an operration due to Peritoneal Mesotheliomaed and a heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy.
In august 2008 I made one course of systemic chemotherapy with alimpta and cisplatin.
Ten days after I developped the Guilliain Barre Syndrom. Chemotherapy was immediately stopeed and I started a long recovery program of more than one year. Till february 2013 I made controls (blood tests, markers and CT-PET) - each 6 months. In february 2013 the CT-PET shows reoccurence of Peritoneal Mesothelioma. Because the tumors were stable and not spread, I continued to make controls, each 3-4 months. But in January 4, 2016, the CT-PET shows many tumors on peritoneum and along the intestins. Prof. J. Klausner, head of Surgical Division of Ichilov - Tel Aviv Medical Center consulted me and recommended an operation again, like in 2008. I passed this operation on january 22, 2016 and after 11 days of hospitalization, I went home and I feel good.
The oncologist doctor recommended me a systemic chemotherapy with Alimpta only, because the risk to make again Guilliain Barre Syndrom. I would like to know if my peritoneal mesothelioma which already exist and doesn't make me any problem, can be treated in your hospital, without chemotherapy.
Thanks a lot for your response,
Zorel Zisman
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Apr 29, 2016 • 8:43 AM
In reply to In june 2008 I passed an… by Zorel Zisman
Zorel, we are not able to answer individual medical questions on our blog. If you’d like to arrange for a consultation at MSK to discuss your options, you can call 800-525-2225 or go to https://www.mskcc.org/experience/become-patient/appointment for more information on making an appointment. If you currently live in Israel, you can instead contact our International Center at international@mskcc.org or to go https://www.mskcc.org/experience/become-patient/international-patients for more information. Thank you for your comment.
Nicole
Apr 28, 2016 • 12:43 PM
Nicole
May 2, 2016 • 5:21 AM
Dear Nicole,
The safety of immunotherapy for cancer in patients with autoimmunity is uncertain. There is a theoretical concern that patients with certain autoimmune diseases may experience worsening of their autoimmune condition when given immunotherapy for cancer. For that reason, many clinical trials of experimental immunotherapies exclude patients with underlying autoimmune diseases. However, for drugs that are FDA approved, patients with autoimmune conditions may be eligible to receive immunotherapy for cancer and may benefit from it. For a patient with an autoimmune condition who also has cancer, the best thing for him or her to do is talk with a doctor about the risks and benefits of immunotherapy treatment. Thank you for your comment.
Anise
May 3, 2016 • 7:49 PM
Dear Anise, we are actively investigating the use of immunotherapy in people with kidney cancer and pancreatic cancer. You may browse through our clinical trials for people with kidney cancer here: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/kidney/clinical-trials. Clinical trials for people with pancreatic cancer can be found here: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/pancreatic/clinical-trials
If you would like to make an appointment with one of our specialists, please call our Physician Referral Service at 800-525-2225. Thank you for reaching out to us.
Anna
May 8, 2016 • 2:28 AM
Anna, MSK does have several clinical trials in progress evaluating a variety of different immunotherapy treatments for colorectal cancer. However, these do not include vaccines. If you’d like to learn more, you can call 800-525-2225 or go to https://www.mskcc.org/experience/become-patient/appointment for more information on making an appointment. Thank you for your comment.
Sharon McFadden
May 22, 2016 • 8:01 PM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
May 23, 2016 • 10:46 AM
In reply to Are you using immunotherapy… by Sharon McFadden
Dear Sharon, we are currently investigating immunotherapy and other novel treatments in clinical trials for people with multiple myeloma. To browse through our open trials for people with this type of cancer, please visit https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/multiple-myeloma/clinical-trials. If you have questions about any of these studies or would like to make an appointment, please call our Physician Referral Service at 800-525-2225. Thank you for reaching out to us.
Rich
Jun 27, 2016 • 8:26 AM
Rich, thank you for reaching out. Yes, MSK is using atezolizumab to treat bladder cancer patients. You can read more here:
https://www.mskcc.org/blog/fda-approves-game-changer-immunotherapy-drug…
Rich
Jun 27, 2016 • 1:48 PM
Steven Rios
Sep 4, 2016 • 9:09 PM
Kelly Del Valle
Dec 26, 2016 • 8:41 PM
Dear Kelly, we are sorry to hear about your son’s health issues. If he is at a point where decisions need to be made about next steps in his care, he is welcome to consult with one of our specialists to discuss possible treatment options. To make an appointment, please call our Physician Referral Service at 800-525-2225. Thank you for reaching out to us.
Kim Thomas
Jan 23, 2017 • 2:28 AM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Jan 23, 2017 • 9:39 AM
In reply to Looking for clinical trials… by Kim Thomas
Dear Kim, to browse through the clinical trials we currently offer for people with thymic cancer, please visit https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/thymoma-other-thymic-tumors/cli…. If you have questions about any of these studies or would like to make an appointment to discuss possible treatment options, please call our Physician Referral Service at 800-525-2225. Thank you for reaching out to us.
Chiara
Feb 11, 2017 • 10:42 AM
Dear Chiara, we’re sorry to hear about your mother’s diagnosis. If she would like to arrange for consultation with a doctor at MSK, you can contact our International Center at international@mskcc.org or go to https://www.mskcc.org/experience/become-patient/international-patients for more information. Thank you for your comment, and best wishes to you and your family.
David Jay
Apr 14, 2017 • 8:38 AM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Apr 14, 2017 • 11:27 AM
In reply to Where can the public donate? by David Jay
Dear David, if you are interested in donating to MSK, you can go to https://giving.mskcc.org/. You can specify that your donation to to immunotherapy research.
If you are interested in PICI, you can learn more at http://www.parkerici.org/.
Thank you for your comment and your interest in supporting this research.
Seems like the only cancers being treated are non tumor of shift tumor blood, lungs, etc.) What is the status of treating "hard" tumors like postrate and breast cancer?